Roger A. Reynolds, a man of dignity and grace, and longstanding stalwart of the Philadelphia investment community, passed away March 31, 2018 in the company of his loving family and friends in Key Largo, FL. He was 86.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Mr. Reynolds was a graduate of Loyola High School in Blakefield and Fordham University. After a stint in the US Navy, he followed his vocation to education, holding teaching positions at Georgetown University and Fordham. Eventually, his Jesuit foundations brought him to Philadelphia and to St. Joseph’s Prep. He began his career in the investment business with the firm that would eventually become Dean Witter in New York. Upon returning to Philadelphia, he hurled himself into the political arena as a campaign manager for his friend Jim McDermott, a Republican candidate for mayor. They remained friends for decades.
For over 50 years, Mr. Reynolds worked for some of the most prominent and respected brokerage firms in the country, names mostly lost now to history. Drexel Firestone, Bache & Co., Wertheim, Alex. Brown, Thomson McKinnon and Wheat First Butcher & Singer were among the organizations where he built or expanded Philadelphia locations. Beginning in 2001, he worked with the Conshohocken-based firm Boenning & Scattergood and was eminence grise to countless brokers, traders and bankers throughout the region. Noted as a gentleman of honor with an impeccable reputation, he was a longtime member of the Philadelphia Securities Association and the Bond Club of Philadelphia. A lover, if not a conqueror of golf, he was a long time member of the Philadelphia Country Club, the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL and a summer resident of The Quechee Club in Vermont.
Mr. Reynolds was married to M. Eileen (Bitsy) Kelley in 1964. She pre-deceased him suddenly in 2000. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Joan McGrath Baney Reynolds. He is also survived by his three children, Roger A. Reynolds, Jr., Clare Reynolds and M. Kelley Reynolds, his wife Joan’s three children, John (Jay) Baney Jr. (Lisa),Diane Baney Davey, (Edward), Timothy Baney (Robin) and their combined 10 grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Rd., Gladwyne, PA at 10:30 am, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Visitation at the church from 9:00-10:30 am. Interment at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be directed to the Gesu Church at St. Joseph’s Prep, attn: Betsy Courtney. 1733 Girard Ave. Philadelphia, Pa 19130. Arrangements are by Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home, Lansdale.